Planning for this trip began last December, when I got an invitation from my
long time friend from my school days - Atanu who had gone to Switzerland on an
onsite deputation and I was engaged on an onsite management consultancy by my
office from July to August 2013 in Switzerland. So, Switzerland, it was....Then
slowly our planning started kicking off...with my wife Rilina finally arranging
to submit her thesis....and free she was from the last few years of hard work
and regime...this was going to be a great official cum (more of a) leisure trip
for both of us....and this way, we were now not only confined to the idea of
Switzerland, but also thought of including Italy (which was a great decision
-realized later on) and the city of Paris in France.
First Things First
Since we were traveling to 3 different countries -Switzerland, Italy and France..we needed to arrange our visas accordingly :: Schengen Visa i.e. needed to travel to these countries across Europe with multiple entry visa.
There were 2 options ::
1. To apply directly through VFS and arranging all the documentations and all by ourselves, or,
2. Through a travel agent and making it less of a burden for us.
We took the second option. We went to Lionell India - our official travel agents and they were not only helpful but also guided us in every step.
Insight ::
However, remember, you need to appear for your visa interview in Delhi, and if you are staying outside Delhi you need to arrange for your return tickets to your home town in a very short notice which is the most difficult part, given that the railways reservation through tatkal is a nightmare and flight tickets on a short notice are almost untouchable!( This part can be a bit difficult without a good railway travel agent or if you don't mind shelling out that extra buck for flight tickets, then its fine.)
Coming back to Lionell India, they had provided us with all the details we needed to provide for obtaining Visa, the relevant forms and also the required Travel Insurance - a must requirement for visa application were all arranged by them for a nominal fee.
Documentation for Schengen Visa Application :
1. Validity of the Passport at least six months from date of travel
2. One Visa application form completed and signed by the applicant.
3. Two recent photos with white background (size 35x40 mm in width; close-up 80% of the photograph)
4. A covering letter on a business letterhead from your employer/company stating your position and the length of your service and no objection certificate for the planned trip to Switzerland/Schengen countries, mentioning the dates and the purpose of the trip.
5. If an applicant is submitting the applications of his/her family, then all applications must have a copy of the covering letter.
6. Evidence of sufficient financial means and proof of accommodation in Switzerland/Schengen Countries (e.g. hotel confirmation, bookings of the entire stay, receipt of paid package tour).
7. A copy of the confirmed return ticket to India or confirmation of reservation.
8. Visas for UK and U.S.A to be obtained first in case the applicant visits any of these countries before Switzerland/Schengen Countries.
9.Personal Income Tax Returns for last 2 years
10.Latest 6 months personal bank statements
11. Business registration certificate/Partnership Deed/Proof of proprietorship.
12.For employees: Latest 6 months salary slips and salary bank account statements.
13. For children (under 18 years of age) travelling alone, an authorisation letter signed by both parents with their passports or a notarised affidavit signed by both parents is required
14. A copy of the identity card and no objection certificate from the school, institute or college for the planned trip to Switzerland mentioning the dates of the trip.
15. A copy and original marriage certificate issued by the Registrar of Marriages of the concerned State, duly legalised by the competent State Home Ministry or names of spouses endorsed on the passports
16. Overseas Medical Insurance policy.
o Minimum coverage of 30,000 Euro per person
IF PAX VISITING RELATIVES OR FRIENDS
Required documents (from the host / sponsor)
(a) An invitation letter (either to be sent by fax directly to this Embassy on 0091-11-2687 0652 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting FREE 0091-11-2687 0652 end_of_the_skype_highlighting or by e-mail at visa@ndh.rep.admin.ch) by the host in Switzerland mentioning name, duration of stay, guarantee of expenses(for example, latest 3 months bank statement and salary slips) along with copy of Swiss/Indian passport, OCI and residence permit.
(b) A Declaration of guarantee form may be given if the financial situation is not sufficient.
If you have your documentation correct and all the relevant and valid papers(as applicable) with you, then your application will be a seamless affair, and you will be called for your interview within 15 working days.
The Interview :
We were called for our interview on a Monday morning at 11:00 a.m. and were instructed to report half an hour before scheduled interview time.
We reached the Embassy of Switzerland at Chanakyapuri, New Delhi by 10: 30 a.m.
However, we had to wait before we could enter the Embassy after a routine security check as already a huge crowd was waiting inside for their turn which had started from 8:00 a.m. Once, we entered the embassy, we had to wait there(frustrated and feeling low - without food and not even an option of toilets there) for our turn till 2:00 p.m when we were finally called by our names. The interview lasted only 5 minutes with some basic questions and that was it.
We received our Visa the following week i.e. after 6-7 working days.
Yippeee....its time for some shopping and final planning for our trip!!
My next entry will cover just that. but before that will give you some insights for obtaining Schengen Visa and why you need to have booking details and itinerary for at least one more Country other than that of your Port of Entry.
Till then...Signing Off..
First Things First
Since we were traveling to 3 different countries -Switzerland, Italy and France..we needed to arrange our visas accordingly :: Schengen Visa i.e. needed to travel to these countries across Europe with multiple entry visa.
There were 2 options ::
1. To apply directly through VFS and arranging all the documentations and all by ourselves, or,
2. Through a travel agent and making it less of a burden for us.
We took the second option. We went to Lionell India - our official travel agents and they were not only helpful but also guided us in every step.
Insight ::
However, remember, you need to appear for your visa interview in Delhi, and if you are staying outside Delhi you need to arrange for your return tickets to your home town in a very short notice which is the most difficult part, given that the railways reservation through tatkal is a nightmare and flight tickets on a short notice are almost untouchable!( This part can be a bit difficult without a good railway travel agent or if you don't mind shelling out that extra buck for flight tickets, then its fine.)
Coming back to Lionell India, they had provided us with all the details we needed to provide for obtaining Visa, the relevant forms and also the required Travel Insurance - a must requirement for visa application were all arranged by them for a nominal fee.
Documentation for Schengen Visa Application :
1. Validity of the Passport at least six months from date of travel
2. One Visa application form completed and signed by the applicant.
3. Two recent photos with white background (size 35x40 mm in width; close-up 80% of the photograph)
4. A covering letter on a business letterhead from your employer/company stating your position and the length of your service and no objection certificate for the planned trip to Switzerland/Schengen countries, mentioning the dates and the purpose of the trip.
5. If an applicant is submitting the applications of his/her family, then all applications must have a copy of the covering letter.
6. Evidence of sufficient financial means and proof of accommodation in Switzerland/Schengen Countries (e.g. hotel confirmation, bookings of the entire stay, receipt of paid package tour).
7. A copy of the confirmed return ticket to India or confirmation of reservation.
8. Visas for UK and U.S.A to be obtained first in case the applicant visits any of these countries before Switzerland/Schengen Countries.
9.Personal Income Tax Returns for last 2 years
10.Latest 6 months personal bank statements
11. Business registration certificate/Partnership Deed/Proof of proprietorship.
12.For employees: Latest 6 months salary slips and salary bank account statements.
13. For children (under 18 years of age) travelling alone, an authorisation letter signed by both parents with their passports or a notarised affidavit signed by both parents is required
14. A copy of the identity card and no objection certificate from the school, institute or college for the planned trip to Switzerland mentioning the dates of the trip.
15. A copy and original marriage certificate issued by the Registrar of Marriages of the concerned State, duly legalised by the competent State Home Ministry or names of spouses endorsed on the passports
16. Overseas Medical Insurance policy.
o Minimum coverage of 30,000 Euro per person
IF PAX VISITING RELATIVES OR FRIENDS
Required documents (from the host / sponsor)
(a) An invitation letter (either to be sent by fax directly to this Embassy on 0091-11-2687 0652 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting FREE 0091-11-2687 0652 end_of_the_skype_highlighting or by e-mail at visa@ndh.rep.admin.ch) by the host in Switzerland mentioning name, duration of stay, guarantee of expenses(for example, latest 3 months bank statement and salary slips) along with copy of Swiss/Indian passport, OCI and residence permit.
(b) A Declaration of guarantee form may be given if the financial situation is not sufficient.
If you have your documentation correct and all the relevant and valid papers(as applicable) with you, then your application will be a seamless affair, and you will be called for your interview within 15 working days.
The Interview :
We were called for our interview on a Monday morning at 11:00 a.m. and were instructed to report half an hour before scheduled interview time.
We reached the Embassy of Switzerland at Chanakyapuri, New Delhi by 10: 30 a.m.
However, we had to wait before we could enter the Embassy after a routine security check as already a huge crowd was waiting inside for their turn which had started from 8:00 a.m. Once, we entered the embassy, we had to wait there(frustrated and feeling low - without food and not even an option of toilets there) for our turn till 2:00 p.m when we were finally called by our names. The interview lasted only 5 minutes with some basic questions and that was it.
We received our Visa the following week i.e. after 6-7 working days.
Yippeee....its time for some shopping and final planning for our trip!!
My next entry will cover just that. but before that will give you some insights for obtaining Schengen Visa and why you need to have booking details and itinerary for at least one more Country other than that of your Port of Entry.
Till then...Signing Off..
